Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a landscaping business in Seattle, King County, Washington.

Updated 2026-03-13 6 stops $400–$900 est. 2–5 weeks to complete registrations and licensing
Get my personalized route — $14.99

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Washington

3 stops

  1. Washington State Business License

    Required for all businesses operating in Washington. Issued by the Department of Revenue. Landscaping businesses must register for the state B&O tax under the service classification.

    Official government source

    $19/year1–2 weeks

  2. Washington Contractor Registration

    Required for any landscaping business that does construction work (hardscaping, irrigation installation, grading, retaining walls). Issued by L&I — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Requires a surety bond and liability insurance.

    Official government source

    $230–$290/year + bond ($6,000 bond for general contractor)1–3 weeks

  3. WA Dept of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License

    Required if your landscaping business applies any pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers on customer property. Issued by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Must pass a written exam for the applicable category.

    Official government source

    $55–$135/year depending on category2–4 weeks (exam scheduling)

City of Seattle / King County

2 stops

  1. Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

    Required for all businesses with operations or revenue in Seattle. Issued by City of Seattle Finance and Administrative Services. Must be renewed annually and kept on file.

    Official government source

    $110/year1–2 weeks

  2. Seattle Building/Grading Permit

    Required for landscaping projects involving grading, tree removal, or structural elements (retaining walls, irrigation systems tied to plumbing). Issued by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI).

    Official government source

    Varies by project scope ($100–$1,000+)1–6 weeks depending on scope

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$900 · 2–5 weeks to complete registrations and licensing

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides